Search the Community

I'll just imagine the Beans I'm eating (everyday!) are a beautiful piece of steak with a side of fries and ranch (yummm). My mom had this the sleeve done December 28, 2011 and I had mine done December 5, 2012. I thought that seeing her go through it first would help me, but I just don't know how she did it. It's like an Alcoholics Anonymous type of deal: One day at a time. I just miss that heartiness of a good meal. The type of meal where it doesn't come in a baby-sized bowl. Heck, I miss sitting down at the dinner table with my family. I haven't eaten with them since the surgery. A couple reasons being that they tend to eat quite quickly and that I hate seeing the food they eat because I miss it. I've also been getting afraid that I'm stretching my stomach because of my liquid intake. I feel and notice that I'm able to take in more liquids in a sitting than I was in the beginning. I sip small sips, but I sip them constantly. Should I worry about stretching? Last time I checked I lost about 37 pounds, which I hope is a good indicator of my surgery. Had a small milestone today when I baked a cake for my family and made them my "famous" spaghetti (that I love to eat). Hard part about it was of course not being able to taste what I was cooking to make sure it was good so my mom had to add a lot of stuff to it because I didn't know what it was missing. Made me feel a tad bit incompetent. I find that when I cook I'm not missing the food as much. It's the part where everyone gets to eat what I cooked that bums me out. I usually just leave the room so I won't think about it. I know a lot of you are probably months or years post-op. I just want to know how you handled these kind of problems. Any help is really appreciated.

I love the classic syrups - hazelnut, vanilla, ones like that. They're very versatile. Another good thing is to get flavoring/extracts like those used to flavor candy that come in flavors like banana nut and coconut. They're generally alcohol based and require very little (a few drops) for a lot of flavor.

I kid you not, I had to answer 100's of questions, but not all therapist do that. Mainly they make sure you know what you're getting yourself into with the LB and to make sure you have no problems that will work against the band working. They asked things like "do you drink alcohol or drugs to face the day", things like that.

I was confused too. Everyone kept talking about the liquid diet before sugery but my doc only has me on an "atkins type" diet for 2 weeks pre-op. I'm on a 1,200 calorie no sugar, no bread, no 'white food', no alcohol. 20-50 grams of carbs (mainly from veggies). When I asked my doc he said it was because I didn't have any co-morbidities and in overall good health. Ask your doc before changing your pre-op diet though. Good luck! I'll be going in a week before you so I'll let you know how it is!

Hi I have been banded over 1yr now and have reached my goal, a fantastic journey also I have been on fluoxetine (Prozac) sertraline, I have noticed big difference whilst banded as I'm currently off meds, these meds made me crave sugar I have no doubt about that, I'm pretty restricted because that's the way I like it, I prefer not to feel hungry all the time, I also noticed whilst on meds that i would drink beer a lot, this expanded my stomach as normal which put pressure on the band like an extra fill, for hours the next day which also made me not eat at all until the swelling went down which meant I wouldn't put on weight no matter how much beer I would drink, since stopping the meds I have noticed I don't crave sugar and alcohol, and that I have more of an appetite which is great, and still retain my normal weight, all in all I'm very happy with the whole procedure but feeling much better now because I'm off the meds.

i was sleeved by dr. fernando garcia in t.j. exactly 11 months ago. he is great the staff is kind. you will be safe i promise. my advice is LISTEN to what they tell you. if you are not hungary after great. dont worrie. just dont over eat or eat the wrong food. no diet cokes no alcohol. and you will look great and feel better. honestly i love being sleeved. but its still hard. im hungary, and fight eating right. is it easier than before yes.

Scotty, bro, you need help. Alcoholism is not uncommon after WLS, many of us are food addicts, and when we can't medicate with food some of us tur to alchohol. In your case, you had this problem before WLS, so the reality is you are compounding one addiction on top of another. I know AA doesn't sound like the most appealing thing, but you need some friends that do not drink a sponsor would be a great help too. Someone that understands where you are at & will take your call at anytime. I'd really hate to see you go through all this to get your life back just to throw it all away. Thats not even mentioning how your drinking affects the people you love. Do yourself a favor get the help you need. We can encourage you and offer advice on weight loss side, but, you really need someone who understands where you are with the alchohol. Best wishes.

Going to AA isn't pathetic! You will meet other people going through the same thing. It helps to have others that can relate. It is also a great place to make friends and learn to do different social activities that don't include numbing yourself with alcohol. It's a long road, but it looks like your trying to travel it now which is good Hang in there life can be good even after having a lot of bad thrown your way...

What's the limits on sugar alcohols?

I was allergic to the pain med. Loritab because of the alcohol in it. I didn't take anything after the first dose at home and had a reaction. The pain when I would get up off the couch was pretty bad on my right side on and around my larger incision. I also had a lump under it. I slept in a recliner for the first week because the pain was to bad to lay down. Walking hurt, standing was super painful and showering I shook the pain was so bad! No pain meds at all! I'm sure if would have taken the Norco they sent me on day 3 I might off been in less pain. So take your pain meds. At day 15 woke up and no pain! I had do get out and do all my Christmas shopping so I had no time for pain... I was so tired but I did it. I definitely got my walking in!! I'm 7 weeks Wednesday and I'm down 36 pounds and I feel great! Everyone has been saying how great I look, it feels wonderful!! So pain is common, my Dr said that's where he takes a really big stitch. He said on the outside its an inch long but on the inside its a lot bigger, through mussels ect. But call your bariatric team they will advise you what to do.

Although I was banded in 2010, my recovery seems like it was yesterday. If I recall, I really had no real pain after the surgery, but the gas in my chest was the most uncomfortable thing. While you had it go away quickly, mine lasted up to two weeks. For new bandsters, it is important to know that each person has a different recovery experience as well as a different weight loss journey. The first few weeks post surgery can definitely be annoying, and it may take several fills before you feel like you are restricted, but everyone has a different experience. A tip for those of you new bandsters, who are still learning the ways about timing while you eat, I found that setting a timer for 20-30 minutes on my phone, was the perfect amount of time to eat as long as you take one bite every 30-45 seconds. My doctor told me that it takes about 20 seconds for the food to pass through the band into the lower portion of the stomach. Also, by keeping yourself on schedule while you eat or drink, will fill you up faster and give you less of a chance of having the food get stuck (as you focus during during those seconds to savor and chew the food to a pulp). As you progress in your weight loss journey, you will have days when certain foods will go down, which others won't. My family who had the band, as well as others I know, refer to the band as a "fickle b***h" because how tight you are can depend on not only how much Fluid is in your band, but on stress, alcohol consumption (makes food go down easier because it relaxes your esophagus,etc.) I speak at the information sessions as a live testimonial for the NYU weight loss group in manhattan. If you have any questions on pre, post or cosmetic surgery, please feel free to ask me (whether here or In a message...)

I use dr Aquila in Tampa and he requires it to shrink the liver and teach you to live with out eating. Even 3 weeks for some depending on the amount of belly fat you have. It's imperative that you are committed to following drs orders or the band isn't the right choice for you. Not to be a Debbie Downer but you are smart to explore your options before being banded rather than regret being banded. Things I had to do to be successful we're.... No carbonation ever again from the start of the pre op diet Count and track every calorie I put in my mouth during the losing stage and even now that I am maintaining I still keep track in my head so I don't gain Learn to use a food scale and be religious about it Stop drinking liquid with my meals Survive on 3 oz Protein, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 of starch at every meal Stick to 1000 calories to lose weight Give up alcohol while losing except for the occasional indulgence...and I do me occasional Eat liquids for 4 weeks then mushies for 10 days Visit my dr monthly for most of my losing..about 18 months. My dr charges 50 for office visits and 100 if you get a fill for self pay patients Attend support meetings These are just some of the things I thought of off the top of my head. And keep in mind they are what my drs orders were...they vary depending on the drs school of thought but basically they are pretty similar.

Hello aloudwhisper, A Paleo diet cosists of meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, butter/ghee, olive oil, and coconut oil. You are not supposed to eat grains, legumes, dairy, processed food, alcohol, and starches (including potatoes other than sweet potatoes). Sugar-substitutes, honey, agave nectar and the like are a gray area. I personally think they are bad for us and keep us eating dessert-like foods which is a psychological habit we need to break. I am trying to break the dessert habit now, but I find that instead of icecream, I'll go for nut butter, dates, or oranges. Grrr...it is a hard habit to break. Some people who eat Paleo limit their carbs from fruit and sweet potato, and other watch fats and limit nuts/coconut products. Others don't worry about carbs or fats. -Hilary

So this past weekend I have been dealing with the hunger monster. I have a serious sweet tooth but I have come to find out that when I eat sweets my band burns like someone poured hot acid on it. Which is a good thing, I guess. So now I have to find a way to nurture my sweet tooth without causing, what I am assuming, damage to my band. I have managed to kick soda, alcohol and cigarettes so giving up sweets should be easy right? Well....I am not sure if I would call it easy but I would defiantly say it will be a journey but in the end the victory will be well worth it. So the solution? On Saturday I found a Facebook ad for no or low carb and no sugar bread and sweets. I know they tell us not to eat bread because it can expand in our stomach, which would be awful for the band. Julian Bakery makes many breads and sweets with no sugar and no or little carbs. The ingredients are simple, Ingredients: Purified water, oat fiber, erythritol, egg whites, inulin, almond meal, modified corn starch, cocoa (processed with alkali), olive oil, xanthan gum, guar gum, leavening (monocalcium phosphate, baking soda), natural flavors. These are the ingredients for the chocolate brownies I purchased. The company lists the following on their site: ThinSlim Foods low carb, low fat, and low calorie brownies. http://www.julianbakery.com/ Each brownie is only 45 calories, 2g net carbs, 0 diet count,2 diet count plus, has 8g of fiber and 6g of protein. These brownies are sweetened with erythritol instead of maltitol or splenda so there is no aftertaste and no GI distress. These brownies have been designed so that they won’t cause any blood sugar spike in diabetics – a true low carb food. All our products come with two guarantees: 100% guaranteed not to raise blood glucose. 100% Taste Guarantee – applicable for 1 item of each product/flavor per customer. So of course I had to try these. Once they come in I will let you know if it was worth my $11.00. Although I have been finding ways to moderate my favorite treats I am going to challenge myself this week before my brownies come, I invite you all to join my challenge. For this week try finding a replacement for your old bad habits and post them. If you love ice cream try freezing greek yogurt. If you enjoy Starbucks caramel frappuccino, try the coffee frap with skim milk and a pump of sugar free caramel. Either way try something new, small changes can make a bigger impact on your weight loss goals we just need to make them one step at a time. I look forward to your posts.

If you’re still considering the lap-band after learning about it in detail, it’s time to think even more deeply about whether the lap-band is right for you. Before you decide, it’s best to consider the amount of weight you can reasonably expect to lose with the lap-band, and balance that with the potential medical risks, or complications, of getting the band. You’ll also need to find out whether you’re eligible for the surgery. Risks with the Lap-Band First, let’s take a look at some of the possible risks or complications that can happen with the band. Nearly all patients get some sort of complications or side effects, but not necessarily severe ones. Excessive bleeding and blood clots are risks that you take with any surgery. Of course you’ll have abdominal pain as you recover from lap-band surgery; after all, your surgeon had to make cuts in your stomach to put the lap-band in place. These are some of the other risks with the lap-band: band slippage leakage band erosion esophageal dilation nausea vomiting trouble swallowing (dysphagia) obstruction constipation Many of the complications are more common in patients whose starting weight (or BMI) is higher. That’s obviously a potential drawback for higher-BMI patients, but it’s also important to look at the alternatives. If your BMI is higher, you’re at higher risk for obesity-related health problems if you don’t lose weight. Also, many of the complications are preventable if you carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operation instructions, especially regarding your diet. Weight Loss to Expect We know; here’s what you’re really interested in! How much weight will the lap-band help you lose? The numbers vary, but within a year of getting the lap-band and following the lap-band diet, you might expect to lose a significant amount of your excess weight. Your excess weight is the number of pounds over your goal weight, and you might be able to lose 40 percent – or more – in a year. Many patients have been able to maintain their weight loss for five or more years. That’s great news if you’re sick of watching your weight cycle as you try diet after diet! The amount of weight you lose and whether you keep it off depends on you. To control your weight, you need to stick to your lap-band diet. These are the basic requirements of the lap-band diet: Choose nutritious foods Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods Avoid beverages with calories Eat small portions Limit snacking Exercise helps burn calories and speeds up weight loss, too! Are You a Candidate for the Lap-Band? Not everyone is eligible to get the lap-band. You have to meet certain criteria before you can get the lap-band. These are some of the normal requirements. Some of them are set by the FDA; others might be required by your insurance company or surgeon: Being at least 30 pounds overweight, with a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of 30 to 40 along with an obesity-related health condition. Having struggled with your weight for at least five years, and having a history of unsuccessful dieting attempts. Being willing to attend educational seminars about the lap-band to learn about the procedure. Following a special diet program before your surgery to demonstrate that you’re able to do it. Promising to follow your surgeon’s aftercare program, which may include follow-up appointments, dietitian visits and group support meetings with other lap-band patients. A contraindication is a condition that makes you ineligible or a poor candidate for getting the lap-band. These are some of the common contraindications: Heart or lung problems that can make your surgery dangerous Drug or alcohol addiction Low pain tolerance (you will feel pain after getting banded) Unwillingness to commit to the lifestyle changes and lap-band diet necessary for losing weight and preventing complications Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant within a year Since the lap-band has such a long history, there’s been a lot of research done on the risks and benefits of the procedure. Chapter 4, “Is the Lap-Band the Right Choice for You?,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND, goes through this research in more detail than this short summary. You’ll get to see some of the particular numbers, such as average pounds lost or percentages of patients who have specific complications. This information, together with seeing the eligibility criteria, can help you make an informed decision about whether the lap-band is right for you.

Risks with the Lap-Band First, let’s take a look at some of the possible risks or complications that can happen with the band. Nearly all patients get some sort of complications or side effects, but not necessarily severe ones. Excessive bleeding and blood clots are risks that you take with any surgery. Of course you’ll have abdominal pain as you recover from lap-band surgery; after all, your surgeon had to make cuts in your stomach to put the lap-band in place. These are some of the other risks with the lap-band: band slippage leakage band erosion esophageal dilation nausea vomiting trouble swallowing (dysphagia) obstruction constipation Many of the complications are more common in patients whose starting weight (or BMI) is higher. That’s obviously a potential drawback for higher-BMI patients, but it’s also important to look at the alternatives. If your BMI is higher, you’re at higher risk for obesity-related health problems if you don’t lose weight. Also, many of the complications are preventable if you carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operation instructions, especially regarding your diet. Weight Loss to Expect We know; here’s what you’re really interested in! How much weight will the lap-band help you lose? The numbers vary, but within a year of getting the lap-band and following the lap-band diet, you might expect to lose a significant amount of your excess weight. Your excess weight is the number of pounds over your goal weight, and you might be able to lose 40 percent – or more – in a year. Many patients have been able to maintain their weight loss for five or more years. That’s great news if you’re sick of watching your weight cycle as you try diet after diet! The amount of weight you lose and whether you keep it off depends on you. To control your weight, you need to stick to your lap-band diet. These are the basic requirements of the lap-band diet: Choose nutritious foods Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods Avoid beverages with calories Eat small portions Limit snacking Exercise helps burn calories and speeds up weight loss, too! Are You a Candidate for the Lap-Band? Not everyone is eligible to get the lap-band. You have to meet certain criteria before you can get the lap-band. These are some of the normal requirements. Some of them are set by the FDA; others might be required by your insurance company or surgeon: Being at least 30 pounds overweight, with a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of 30 to 40 along with an obesity-related health condition. Having struggled with your weight for at least five years, and having a history of unsuccessful dieting attempts. Being willing to attend educational seminars about the lap-band to learn about the procedure. Following a special diet program before your surgery to demonstrate that you’re able to do it. Promising to follow your surgeon’s aftercare program, which may include follow-up appointments, dietitian visits and group support meetings with other lap-band patients. A contraindication is a condition that makes you ineligible or a poor candidate for getting the lap-band. These are some of the common contraindications: Heart or lung problems that can make your surgery dangerous Drug or alcohol addiction Low pain tolerance (you will feel pain after getting banded) Unwillingness to commit to the lifestyle changes and lap-band diet necessary for losing weight and preventing complications Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant within a year Since the lap-band has such a long history, there’s been a lot of research done on the risks and benefits of the procedure. Chapter 4, “Is the Lap-Band the Right Choice for You?,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND, goes through this research in more detail than this short summary. You’ll get to see some of the particular numbers, such as average pounds lost or percentages of patients who have specific complications. This information, together with seeing the eligibility criteria, can help you make an informed decision about whether the lap-band is right for you.

In there's no trading food for alcohol for me. I love them both equally. I am pretty careful about it, my point was over the holidays there was a little more, along with all the other overindulgences....

Avoid alcohol - empty calories. And it hits you harder since you're banded. Alcoholism in banded patients increase. Just saying. Why trade foodaholic for alcoholism?

I know I'm a big wet blanket. Transfer addiction is very real. Anything that you need to do daily is an addiction. Yes I'm very sensitive to this because I grew up living with an alcoholic.

I was told by my doctor not to drink for the first year due to the liver. He said that the rapid weight loss during the first year was hard on the liver and that drinking alcohol put it under additional strain. He also mentioned all the concerns that previous posters have mentioned such as getting drunk quickly and cross addiction. But the primary medical reason for him was liver function.

I had a glass of wine about 3 months post op. with no side effects what so ever. I do not get drunk or buzzed any faster than before surgery. I like to have my glass of red wine at night becuase it is very healthy for you. Everyone is different and handles alcohol differently, I tolerate the alochol the same as before surgery. You just need to know that alcohol has empty calories so drink in moderation. My surgeons office said that you would get durnk quicker and to be very careful which I was when I first had a glass of wine. If you do have a drink I would make sure you are home, eat first, and see what your reaction is becaue you don't want to be out and get sick or really drunk. Do some testing at home first.

Also drinking is the number one transfer addiction bevause the alcohol hoes straigjt to.our intestines making it easier for us to get adficted to alcohol.

Great question. I am now 5 months out w/ 70 lb's off, 50 to go and loving my new size. I mention this because part of me is thinking maybe I am loosing motivation and that is why I want more food. I eat a 1/2 cup of food and if I try for more I am nauseous, I don't throw up but I hang over the sink thinking I might. Up until 4 months I was fine w/ the small portion. In December I found out I can eat anything, where b4 that I was not sure if I would dump. Then I started feeling like I wanted a quanity, like my husband eats. Before that, I am now remembering, the few restraunts I went to I had 1/2 in a doggie bag, ate a quarter of the serving and left the rest. I was satisfied. Now I want more. So I went to a support group, I always force myself to tell the truth there. As I listened to myself share I KNEW I needed to shift my thinking. Now when my head gets mad that I I ate a 1/4 tuna sandwich and that is it, I stop and remind myself I am thankful my pouch stops me because I continue to get smaller. Someone shared "as an alcoholic is new in sobriety, they think about alcohol and want to drink. As they continue to abstain & work a program the desire lessens.". It is the same for me, as I continue to work this tool I will have my success right next to me, w/ my continued exercise, exploring my food addiction and gratefulness I will deal with what comes my way. This post is convoluted , I hope I made some kind of sense. It sounds like I was loosing sight of my original goals. I am a work in progress.

I haven't figured a way to cook for 1.5 people.... And for the past year my daughter and 18 month old granddaughter have been living with us... So i now cook for 3/4 which is most likely what i cooked for before. But I can honestly say my bill stayed about the same. If I was single I would be saving a bundle. What has gone down is eating out. When it just the two of us hubby eats like he did but I get an appetizer or something of the child's menu and no alcohol for me or sodas so our eating out bills have decreased dramatically. Also I used to spend at least $50 a week on lunches and that has dropped dramatically to basically nothing. However once in a while I will go out with coworkers for a treat but my bill is usually under 5$ depending on where we go.

After rny your system can not break down the alcohol as it used to. You are drunker faster and it lasts longer taking as little as one drink.